First Interactions – Akino

School’s finished.

Everyone is busy with their own club activities.

And there’s me. Someone who’s not affiliated with any club.

But rather than just going home, I’ll do some chores on the school, then I’ll go home.

First things first, let’s tend the school’s flower garden. The school’s flower garden is a nice place to relax, aside from the courtyard, should I say.

When I arrived at the flower garden, I’m surprised to find that another Setsunazaki sister is already there, someone whose presence I don’t expect either—it’s Akino. Trying to be friendly, I greeted her, “Hey ther—”

Before I even finish my greeting, Akino wall-slammed then threatens me, “Don’t you dare tell anyone about me being here! Or I will tell everyone that you are a stalker!”

“I don't care what other people would think about me, you can do whatever you want.” I said as I shoved her hand.

“What’s with you!? You’re so rude and insensitive!”

“Well thanks for that.”

Akino let out a defeated voice, “Kuh…” then promptly leaves the area. Seeing Akino leaving, I shouted to assure her, “Oi! Even if you didn’t threaten me, I won’t tell a single soul about this! Trust me just this once, yeah?”

Despite my assurance, Akino keep walking without stopping or even looking back. She hates me that much, huh? Well, can’t be helped, I am known as a “stalker” to her. Let’s get this garden over with.

Eh?

When I’m going to tend the garden, I realized that the garden’s already been tended to. Thoroughly even!

“Who in the world?” I look around, then find many gardening tools scattered around, “Setsunazaki, huh?”

I remembered Fuyuha’s words. “She sometimes has trouble with speaking honestly, but she’s a kind girl.” I sighed, “Seriously, that girl…”

After I cleaned Akino’s mess and left the garden, I suddenly realized that my plan is already in ruins, “Shoot, I was going to tend the garden then go home. But the garden has already been tended. What should I do now?”

I remembered that some of the empty classes needs to be cleaned. What about doing that next? Whoo, I’m such a genius.

After I took the cleaning equipment from the school's storage, I wander around the school to find any room that is very much in need to be cleaned.

While searching, my ears picked up someone’s voice. It’s angelic, “What a nice voice…” I instinctively followed the source.

When I stood in front of the room where voice came from, the voice is even more angelic than before. I steeled myself before opening the door. Took a deep breath, then exhaled, “Here goes…”

I opened the door then surprised to find who is there, “Setsunazaki…” Caught red-handed singing alone, Akino’s face went as red as a cherry. “Well, then. I saw nothing. I’ll excuse myself,” I said as I try to run away.

But before I even moved from my spot, Akino caught me by the collar then pulls me into the empty classroom and wall-slammed me. Again.

“Sure loves wall-slams, eh?”

Akino angrily asks me, “Who told you that I was here!?”

“You really thought I had a friend who knows that you’re here?”

After thinking about my words, Akino released her grip on my collar, “You’re right. I didn’t think of that.”

Seeing that my collar and tie are crooked, I immediately fixed it while keeping conversation with Akino, “Wow, that’s harsh. But thanks for understanding.”

Akino crossed her arms, “So, how did you know about this?”

“I didn’t know at first. But I was attracted by an angelic voice. Ergo, here I am.”

Akino’s face went red, “Wha—Angelic? Quit joking around!”

“That’s an honest opinion. But why are you singing alone in a place like this?”

Akino angrily answers, “Does it matter to you!?”

“If you didn’t want to tell me, it’s okay. I just want to know.”

Akino clicked her tongue, to which I retorted, “Whoa, manners, young lady.”

“What’s with you!? You’re so nosey!”

“Well I’m sorry. I won’t bother you again. But first, can I clean the room?”

“Clean the room?” Akino then smugly asked, “Ahh, you’re being punished?”

I sighed, then answered her question, “I’m not. This is just my hobby. Before you snicker at someone, make sure you’ve cleaned your own mess before. Especially after gardening.”

Being reminded about the garden, Akino angrily said, “I told you not to mention that anymore!”

“No. You just told me not to tell anyone about that.” Akino then proceeds to hit me repeatedly.

“Ow, ow, ow.” I sighed, “If you didn’t want to help, just stay back and don’t make my work harder.”

Akino angrily retreats then proceeds to sit down at a nearby stack of desks.

Phew. Peace at last. Well then, let’s clean this up.

After some silence, Akino broke the silence with asking, “Why are you cleaning this unused classroom?”

“As I said before, this is a hobby of mine. A student must contribute towards the school environment, yes?

“Huh… For a stalker, you’re kind of decent, huh?”

“Yes, yes. I’m a stalker. Thank you very much for your compliment.”

“I’m not complimenting you!”

I chuckled then continue cleaning the room, while Akino’s glaring at me with piercing stare. She's that suspicious of me? Poor me. Well, can’t be helped.

After the classroom has been cleaned, I wiped off the sweat on my forehead then feels satisfied with my own work, “Nice work, me…”

Akino, who was silent the entire time, breaks her silence, “Huh. Not bad for a stalker.”

It seems that she was genuinely praising me, I was surprised that even Akino can praise someone genuinely.

Not hearing any retort from me but instead only being stared at, Akino angrily told me, “What’s with that creepy stare! Stop staring at me!”

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry,” I apologized while gathering my equipment. After I’ve gathered the equipment, I asked Akino, “You want to go to the storage room?”

“No way! Why should I go with a stalker!?” answered Akino angrily as she starts walking away.

I thought, “Can’t be honest, huh… Is she even the Mysterious Cherry Blossom Girl?” Come to think of it, I never know the reason why she acts so hostile to me. Let’s just ask her directly.

I chased after Akino then found her walking alone, “Setsunazaki, wait a minute!”

Seems to realize my voice, Akino doesn’t look back and yelled, “Why are you following me, you creepy stalker!?”

I grabbed her shoulders, then starts explaining myself, “Listen, I’m sorry if I, in any way, offended you. I just want to know why you are being so hostile to me.”

Akino turns to face me then slapped my hand, “Am I being that hostile to you? Because what I did all this time is just something anyone would’ve normally did, which is avoiding bad influence!”

“I thought we are already clear on that stalker matter.”

“Maybe it’s clear for the others, since they’re kind. But I’ll tell you this. I would never place my trust on you!”

Akino’s declaration made me a little disheartened, but it can’t be helped. Since I had done a technically bad thing to a member of her family, I don’t have any right to talk back to her.

Watching me being silent, Akino taunts me, “What? Cat got your tongue?”

I sighed, “No… Your words made me kind of… dejected. But no big deal, you are absolutely right. I am a bad influence.”

“Tch, this is why I dislike you! You’re so creepy and gloomy!” said Akino as she walked away.

Still wanting more explanation, I shouted to stop Akino, “Wait! Setsu—!” Before I finished, I was reminded of Fuyuha’s and Haruna’s pouting face. I instinctively switched her name, “Akino, wait!”

Hearing her called by her given name, Akino turns to face me, “What now!? Didn’t I told you that you are not allowed to say my name!?” I noticed her face when I call her by her given name is worse than angry. Not wanting to make her more furious, I immediately apologized, “You’re right. That was very rude of me. I’ll stick with Setsunazaki then.”

Akino grits her teeth as she turned to leave again, “Hmph! Don’t you dare follow me again!”

As Akino goes, I shouted to her, “Oi! I know you didn’t want to hear this from me again, but when I said that your voice is great, I really mean it! If someday you would sing in front of many audiences, I’ll be there cheering on you!”

Despite my shouting, Akino doesn’t even look back. She really hates me to the core, huh…

Wait, I haven’t seen Natsumi all day. Huh, where would she be?